Supporting and drainage column for elevated highways



w. T. cURTVls Feb. 14, 1939.

SUPPORTING AND DRAINAGE COLUMN FOR ELEVATED HIGHWAYS 2 Shets-Sheet l Filed March 4, 1938 \w www .n

J INVENTOR BY a?? d ATTORNEY W4 T. CURTIS F eb; 14, 1939.

SUPPORTING AND DRAINAGE COLUMN FOR LEVATED HIGHWAYS Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 4, 1958 Fifi/.4'.

.7J INVENTOR BY i ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 14, 1939 I PATENT OFFICE SUPPORTING AND DRAINAGE COLUMN FOR ELEVATED HIGHWAYS Walter T. Curtis, Detroit, Mich.

Application March 4, 1938, Serial No. 193,880

3 Claims. (C1. 1475) My invention relates to supporting columns for elevated highways and an object of the invention is to provide a supporting column which may also be used to drain storm water from the superstructure avoiding the necessity,and unsightliness of independent pipes or downspouts. The purpose is Valso to provide, a column of beauty by virtue of its simple plain round construction, free from all obstructing parts.

I secure this object in the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is an. elevation partly in section of an elevated highway embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same,- drawn to a small scale;

Figure 3 `is a vertical section,-drawn to an enlarged scale,-of a column embodyingmy invention;

Figure 4 is an elevation of the upper portion of a column and adjacent parts-partly in section-embodying a modified form of my invention;

Figure 5 is an elevation looking from the left of Figure 4, with parts broken away and in section; Y

Figure 6 is a detail section, taken on or abou line 6 6, Figure 1,-drawn to an enlarged scale;

Figure '7 is a section taken on or about line 'l-T of Figure 1,-drawn to an enlarged scale;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan-view of a concrete road-bed in which is supported a grated sump, through which storm water passes to the down-pipes leading to a sewer;

Referring now to the reference characters on the drawings indicating the several parts:-

Numeral I Figure 1, indicates an elevated grid formation road-bed and 2, the supporting columns. f

Numeral 3 indicates a ceiling plate which extends under the road bed, l, and receives any water that may pass through the meshes ofthe road-bed;-conducting the same to a sewer. This is shown in my pending application for Letters Patent for improvements in Elevated highway construction, led February 11, 1938, Serial Number-190,083.

The plate 3 is preferably corrugated and discharges into gutters 4 which lead to passages eX- tending to the sewer. y

Eachrof the columns 2, consists mainly of a steel cylindrical tube 2a; and I line this with a continuous coating of concrete indicated by reference character 2b. Each of the tubes 2a is provided with a flange 2c, of forged steel, or a steel casting screwed or welded to each end thereof.

Numeral 5 indicates a steel casting serving as a capital of the column and as a brace to strengthen the structure and having a flange at 5 vits lower end adapted to be secured to the upper ange 2c, of the main portion of the column. Numeral 5a indicates openings through the wall of the capital 5, serving as ports for the reception of water discharged from the gutters 10 4 4, the ends of which extend through said openings.

Numeral 6 indicates a cast iron base flanged to receive the lower ange 2c, of the main portion of the column. This is so shaped that water l5 coming downlthe interior of the column passes through the center of this base into a leader or sewer pipe 1. Numerals Gaf-6a indicate weepholes through the walls of the base casting 6, which obviate the danger of the column becoming filled with water should the sewer pipe become obstructed. The casting 6 is provided with a drip-lip 6b which directs the water down into the sewer instead of allowing it to spill out through the weep-holes 6a except in case of 25 back-flow. SaidV weep-holes are also used for cleaning any stoppage that may occur at the base of the column. y

If instead of the structure above described, 30 the road-bed is of solid concrete the water must be drained off at the side or curb. In this case the column is essentially the same as above described;however, the water is here caught in a cast iron sump 8, (see Figures 4 and 8) the top 35v of which is flush with the top surface of the road-bed, and it is covered with a grating 9, as shown. At the ends of the sump 8, the collected water discharges into down pipes I0, which lead to orifices 5a through the sides of the capital 5. 40

The concrete lining protects the inner surface of the pipe 2a,-and the flanges 2c, at the top and bottom ofthe round pipe 2a, make it possible to remove the round portion of the column 2a for purposes of renewal, inspection or repair.

What I claim is:

1. In a construction of the kind described, a surface to be drained, and a hollow supporting column adapted to receive and conduct away the drainage from said surface; and a capital having a hollow interior forming a continuation of the bore of said column and having an opening through its sidewall; and a drainage conduit leading through said opening.

2. In a construction of the kind described, a 55 surface to be drained, and a hollow supporting column adapted to receive and conduct away the drainage from said surface; and a base having a hollow interior communicating with a drainage receiver and with the bore of said column, said base being provided with a weep-hole through its sidewall, and whereby drain stoppage may be removed.

3. In a construction of the kind described, a

10 surface to be drained, and a hollow supporting 

